Next in my Writers Whereabouts is Cathryn Hein. She writes about Mt Gambier, which I can say I have visited and seen the gorgeous Blue Lake. I hope you enjoy this snippet into Cathryn’s life and  my favourite photo is the one of Cathryn jumping on Dinks. Look at you go, Cathryn! Thanks so much for inviting me on Writer Whereabouts, Fiona. It’s a lovely idea for a series, albeit a little tricky for me given our penchant for moving around. Five and a bit months ago we were Melbournians, catching trams, grinning each time we passed the MCG, and loving its football tribalism. Five years ago Newcastle was home, and what a fabulous one it was too. This time ten years ago we were four months into what turned out to be a three year stint living in the south of France. In a few years time we could be somewhere else. I hope

How I made my ‘House’ a Home – Part Two. Back in February I was on Helene Young’s blog talking about how a house is not a home without an animal or two (or three). Well, a small town story is not a small town story without a feathered or furry friend. While my human characters in House for all Seasons are fictional, my animals are usually inspired by real-life versions (which is fine because they can’t read, therefore they can’t sue me or not talk to me when I get them wrong!) My host today, Fiona Palmer, is a sucker for an animal too, so I thought I’d share the inspiration behind my House for all Seasons menagerie – the Part 2 – and the important roles they play. Part 1 – is my canine characters (and those that think they’re a dog!) Now for Part 2 – The menagerie…. Name: Muddy The Award-Winning

Tony is my next author in my blog series ‘Writers Whereabouts’. It’s easy to see why Tony’s books are so great. Look where he lives! I read his latest release Dark Heart not that long ago and I must admit it was the little gorilla who I loved the most. My home town – Tony Park. Thanks for the invitation to blog about my home town, Fiona – now, I just wish I had one! My wife, Nicola, and I lead an unusual life spread across two continents and two very different environments. We spend six months of each year living in a two bedroom flat in a block of units on a six-lane highway in suburban Sydney and the remainder of the year living in the African bush, surrounded by wild animals.       Here’s the quiet street I live on in Sydney – the six-lane Pacific Highway, with its eclectic, villagey collection

February 2013 Dear Fiona, Has it been one month already? I feel like it was just yesterday I was writing to tell you about my January release, “The Girl in the Hard Hat.” Well, this month I have an e-book coming out that’s a little bit different. It’s a romantic, comedy novella set in urban Sydney. The title is, “One Little White Lie.” I actually started writing this story about eight years ago and couldn’t seem to get it right. I put the manuscript aside and didn’t look at it again until my agent asked me if I had something I could submit for Random House’s new digital first romance line. On a whim, I got this manuscript out and with fresh eyes could finally see the reason the story wasn’t working. It was because the premise wasn’t really big enough to warrant a full blown novel. In fact, a novella size would suit it

I met Rachael Johns years ago through the Romance Writers of Australia and have since loved watching her career grow as a writer. We are both WA girls living out in our small communities and we have both managed local grocery shops. So it’s no wonder we get on so well. Rach and I did a talk together last year after the Dowerin Field days. I got to drive through her small town of Goomalling and see her shop. It made me think about the places we live and for us rural authors, the small towns we write about. I asked Rach to write about her home town and because I enjoyed reading her blog I’m thinking of starting a blog series on Writers and their Whereabouts. Rach writes about country characters and rural towns so beautifully and it’s no wonder when you see where she lives. Thanks for stopping by Rach!   My Life

I have Pamela Cook as my guest blogger today. She is a new rural author and her first book Blackwattle Lake is out now. I read this book just recently and it was slightly different in the way that the story was all about Eve and her journey. Even though there was a romantic thread, it took a back seat to Eve’s inner workings. I liked Eve, she was very human and had flaws. So it’s only fitting that today Pamela is talking about characters. Thanks Pamela, over to you. Hi there and thanks so much Fiona for hosting me on your blog today. One of the things I’m enjoying the most about having my novel published is the opportunity to network with other writers and the Rural Fiction girls have been so welcoming and supportive. When I first wrote Blackwattle Lake as a nano novel (for the uninitiated that’s a challenge to write a

This photo is an unlikely setting for a book but that is exactly where my guest Loretta Hill set her books and I can tell you it was a perfect choice. Loretta’s first hand experience turns her books into a charming, engaging read with likeable characters with the red dirt backdrop. She’s here today talking about her fabulous characters from her new book The Girl in the Hard Hat. Welcome Loretta.                         Dear Fiona, How are you? I’m great! Thanks for having me on your blog today to talk about my latest release, The Girl in the Hard Hat due to hit shelves this month. I’m so excited about this book. More excited than I was for the first one! I think it’s because of everything I went through to get it done. The manuscript was due on my publisher’s desk by August this

On one of my trips to Perth last year I caught up with Sara Foster (a bestselling psychological suspense writer) and her gorgeous daughter for a chat. It’s always wonderful meeting other authors as we have so much in common. Being able to share and swap stories face to face is a treat for me as the nearest author is miles away. We both got our first contracts in 2008 – wow has time gone by fast. I’ve asked Sara over today and here she shares her thoughts.   NEW YEAR, NEW BEGINNINGS Usually by the time 1st January comes around I have a neat list of resolutions for the coming year. However, this year I’ve suddenly found myself in 2013 while still trying to catch my breath from 2012! However, one thing I have vowed to myself is to make sure I don’t get distracted from the essence of what I love about writing

Today I have the wonderful Karly Lane over for a chat. Her new book Bridies Choice is out now (and on its way to me in the post. Hurry up Mr Postman). I can’t wait to see what Karly has cooked up for us again. I’m sure there will be plenty of laugh out loud moments. Thanks for being my first guest blogger for 2013, Karly! It’s so good to be back here on Fee’s blog, it’s been a while. Life gets so hectic and time flies; before we know it another year’s gone just like that! (I couldn’t agree more!) But it got me thinking about my journey so far and I have to say it’s really great to take a minute and look back at how far we’ve come. I remember buying Fiona’s first book, The Family Farm, along with Fleur McDonalds Red Dust and loving that finally there was some rural fiction

I’m excited to have fourth generation grazier and bestselling author Nicole Alexander here today to share her inspiration. Nicole’s new book, Absolution Creek is out now, and a fine addition to her growing colletion of rural books. When you read Nicole’s section below you can see why her books are written so beautifully and just how easily she takes us into her world visually. Thanks for stopping by Nicole! Inspiration Many things inspire me through the course of a day; a flock of birds winding their way to a waterhole at sunset, clouds drifting against a duck-egg blue sky and the caress of the wind on my skin. Although as a grazier I’m particularly aware of the elements and the landscape around me, there is something about spring that makes me both joyous and curious about life in all its many forms. Spring is about renewal and birth, and to an extent, determination. I imagine the myriad plants which